From Digital Dark to Yogic Light: Reclaiming Presence and Productivity After the Blackout


From Digital Dark to Yogic Light: Reclaiming Presence and Productivity After the Blackout

Yesterday, my mind was set on dissecting productivity. But then, the lights went out. Literally, across Spain and parts of Europe, and the universe had a different message in store for us all.

Imagine it: no Wi-Fi, silent traffic lights, stationary trains - a complete standstill. My heart goes out to those who faced difficult situations. It was less dramatic up in our mountain valley, but the impact was still felt. The million things I should be doing: emails, social media, blog posts - became instantly impossible. Time stretched, and the only reality was the present moment.

The Relentless Pressure of the 'Never Enough'

This sudden pause highlighted to me the frantic pace we've come to accept as normal. The never-ending to-do list. The subtle (or not-so-subtle) pressure from your social media feed showcasing everyone else's 'wins' makes you feel the familiar tug of 'not enough,' the urge to constantly do more. Does this relentless cycle sound familiar? That constant juggle of to-dos and the nagging feeling of "not enough" as you scroll to escape?

We live in a world where immediate gratification is the norm, driven by the constant stimulation of our devices. We're bombarded with curated highlight reels online, subtly reinforcing the idea that everyone else is achieving more, producing more, doing more. This relentless external comparison increases the pressure to keep up, and all this frantic activity comes at a significant cost: our nervous systems, our mental well-being, our very sense of self.

A Sign from the Universe to Slow Down?

That unexpected power cut felt like a stark message, a cosmic nudge to reconsider our relentless pursuit of productivity. As I sat in the quiet, the urgency of my digital to-do list faded. The world kept turning, breathing even, without the immediate validation of my online presence. A humbling thought.

Trust me, I've been there. I remember the relentless pace of London life, the constant stimulation of the city, plus the endless scroll of social media. Every moment felt like an opportunity to 'be productive' - replying to Instagram messages on the tube, checking emails between meetings, capturing the perfect photo. I was perpetually doing, rarely just being present in the moment. But what if actually, the most productive thing you could add to your to-do list was simply: STOP?

Finding a Different Kind of Flow: The Yogi's Path

Even now, juggling the demands of motherhood, partnership, and entrepreneurship, the pressure to constantly perform can feel overwhelming. My past relationship with social media didn’t help either. It became a highlight reel of everyone else's 'success,' amplifying my feelings of inadequacy.

It wasn't until I consistently turned to my yoga practice that I started to understand a different kind of productivity, one rooted in presence, breath, and a deeper connection to myself. What if the very definition of 'productivity' we've been sold is a lie? What if it's not about endless doing, but about tapping into a different kind of flow, the kind you discover when you intentionally slow down, connect with your breath, and find a deeper rhythm within yourself? Imagine a world where your most valuable output comes not from frantic activity, but from mindful presence.

Three Simple Steps to Reclaim Your Time and Energy Today

Ready to step off the hamster wheel of endless doing and into a more sustainable rhythm? You don't need hours on the mat. Start small, starting today. Here are three powerful starting points, inspired by the wisdom of yoga, to begin reframing what productivity truly means:

  1. Practice Non-Attachment to Outcome (Aparigraha & Karma Yoga): Before starting a task, consciously release the need for a specific outcome. Focus instead on the effort and the process itself (karma yoga - the yoga of selfless action). This doesn't mean you don't care about the result, but rather that you detach your sense of worth and peace from a particular outcome. This practice of non-attachment (aparigraha) can reduce stress and allow you to be more present and effective in your actions, ultimately freeing up mental space and allowing you to engage with your tasks with more presence and less anxiety.

  2. Single-Task with Focus (Dharana): Instead of multitasking, which often leads to scattered energy and decreased efficiency, choose one task and dedicate your full attention to it for a set period (even 5-10 minutes). Minimise distractions - close unnecessary tabs, silence notifications. This focused concentration, known as dharana in yoga, can actually lead to greater output and a deeper sense of accomplishment.

  3. Cultivate Contentment Through Gratitude (Santosha): Take a brief pause to identify one small thing you can appreciate in this moment - the warmth of your drink, a moment of quiet, a small accomplishment. This simple act of noticing and acknowledging the good that is already present cultivates Santosha, the yogic principle of contentment. It shifts your focus from what's lacking or what needs to be done to the inherent goodness in the here and now, fostering a sense of peace and fulfilment that counters the endless pursuit of "more."

If you want to go deeper come and join my 5 Day Digital Detox challenge, it's completely free. Sign up here

Until then, I encourage you to embrace the power of the pause, just be present, and listen to the quiet wisdom within. The true productivity you seek might just be found in slowing down.